Bush Bandwagon Loses Steam

There's good news.... and since good news is about as rare these days as a non-political Justice Department decision, we'll run with it.

There are a few U.S. Senators who are well-respected by other U.S. Senators, and Richard Lugar (R-IN) is one of them. Up until now, he's been in lockstep with The Decider on the Iraq War. Well, he's now broken ranks. He says the Iraq plan is not working. (WaPo)

And, rather than wait for the stalling September date to hear once again that the administration is going to "stay the course," yesterday Lugar announced on the Senate floor: "In my judgment, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved..... Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term"

Although lauding Lugar's change of heart, in a transparent attempt to look in charge of events, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to force votes on several anti-war proposals although they are expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed.

He thinks that is what frustrated voters want. It isn't. Such voter pandering only keeps the Senate polarized and sends moderate voices scurrying back to party safety.

Instead, the next step should be to get other influential Iraq war voices like Sen. John Warner (R-VA) to join Lugar's, and to get behind a plan such as Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) is putting forward for a federalized Iraq that is currently enjoying bipartisan support.

Maybe voters could propose a deal, if the Republicans get rid the scary Dick Cheney, the Democrats will replace Reid as majority leader. As far fetched as that may sound, Cheney is the subject of the next piece of good news.

There is a GOP plan afoot to oust Tricky Dick. In an article by Sally Quinn in WaPo, she reports that Cheney is viewed by many Republicans as toxic, dangerous and a net minus for the party going into next year's elections.

The showdown would unfold something like this.... senior Republican message carriers led by someone like Sen. Warner.... a la Barry Goldwater who went to the White House and told President Nixon he had to go.... would lay the words on Cheney.

Look for this possible move this summer when Cheney is scheduled for surgery to replace his pacemaker.... after which he may have to leave office amid much regretful fanfare.... doctor's orders don't you know.

The person being mentioned as his replacement is ex-Senator Fred Thompson. Talk about getting a leg up on positioning for the presidential race. We'll find out this summer if Cheney needs to spend more time with his family and Fred is the anointed one.

And, if you can stand it, another piece of good news. "Ex-Aides Break With Bush on 'No Child'."

Even as The Decider urged lawmakers to renew his fatally flawed No Child Left Behind program, his former aides who helped craft and implement his education initiative are speaking out against the law. One aide, Eugene Hickok, now says he always had second thoughts, and feels the lawmakers should step back and "see if there are other ways to solve the problem."

The messages are loud and clear.... The Decider's decisions stink. The Iraq war, No Child Left Behind, even his choice for Vice President have imperiled our country.

Now, if the Senate can just find the fortitude to go against their corporate masters, The Decider's immigration and North American Union schemes can be thwarted, and perhaps the country can start to limp back toward some sort of non-ideological sanity.

A final word, just to prove that nonpartianship is possible. Like Howard Kurtz, WaPo staff writer, a recent remark by the GOP stiletto-mouth, Ann Coulter on "Good Morning America" took my breath away.

Referring to The Decider, she slashed: "We're all just waiting for this nincompoop to be gone."

Amen, Ann. Amen.

Supremes Weaken Wall

The protective wall of separation between Church and State took a big hit today.... "Court Bars Suits Against Faith-Based Initiatives." (WaPo)

The Supreme Court ruled that taxpayers cannot challenge the constitutionality of the White House faith-based initiative program that helps religious groups obtain government funding for their social programs.

The decision states that "ordinary taxpayers do not have standing" to make such a challenge.

Using the type of dodge that VP Cheney is using.... that he isn't a part of the Executive Branch of government and thus isn't accountable.... the White House winning argument was that taxpayers lacked standing because the faith-based initiatives office was not specifically funded by Congress.

By this lawyerly device, the intent of the Constitutions First Amendment.... that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".... was set aside by five of the nine Supremes because the funds come "from Executive Branch appropriations."

In the dissenting opinion of Justice David Souter, he wrote that the ruling "closes the door on these taxpayers because the Executive Branch, and not the Legislative Branch, caused their injury.... I see no basis for this distinction in either logic or precedent...."

The Decider and Tricky Dick don't need logic, precedent, the Constitution or the rule of law.... they've taken on the power of dictators, and our Congress is too timid, or too culpable, to stand up to them.

Who Likes Mike?

Ed Rollins likes Mike.

This ex-Ross Perot campaigner just can't help himself, he likes mavericks and cheers former NY mayor Bloomberg on in "Come on In, Mike. It Could Be a Wild Ride."

Changing horses from Republican to Independent has worked successfully before, but only at the state level. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) did it in the last election after the Democratic primary voters threw him out because of his pro-Iraq war, Bush-hugging ways.

So what are Bloomberg's chances? Rollins insightfully reviews and compares other Independent candidate campaigns and decides.... "Bully for Bloomberg."

You Go Joe!

One presidential candidate has long advocated a different approach to Iraq war policy, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del). With the elections looming, pressure is building on The Decider to look at policy options.... "Bush aides consider Iraq truce at Capitol." (LATimes)

".... some senior administration officials - including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad - have been quietly talking with lawmakers about how to adjust policy in the months ahead. Among other ideas, they have discussed whether the United States should advocate a sharply decentralized Iraq, a notion that has seen a resurgence on Capitol Hill."

"A sharply decentralized Iraq" .... called a federal system of government.... is what Biden has been advocating. Proponents of this idea, which is favored by an unusually broad bipartisan group of senators, were brought together this month by Biden, who is the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

On a recent trip to Iraq, Gates reflected that "Perhaps we have gotten too focused on the central government, and not enough on the provinces and on the tribes and what is happening in those areas."

Now, we'll see if a childish Decider can climb down from his Iraq-policy hobby horse and listen to the grownups.


Don't hold your breath.

EU Takes a Detour

The European Union still needs a constitution because the countries can't agree on a unifying structure. It's proposed constitution is the across-the-pond version of our Homeland Security Department.... "an unwieldy, bureaucratic entity run by leaders far removed from the European people." (WaPo)

But, if el Presidente Bush has his way he'll barge forward with his own unifying plan, to wed our already unworkable corporista government to the corrupted and dangerous drug-warlord land of Mexico and a Canada with attitude.... the North American Union, his legacy.

In a Rovian move, the EU leaders are making an end run around the constitution concept, and instead are offering a "treaty" to its 27 capitals. Even this treaty was resisted, so some of its symbolism was removed, such as an EU anthem. "My Countries Tis of Thee".... er "Those".... er "Them".... just didn't work.

But, the original intent is still there. The treaty sets out rules for the future enlargement of the EU.

Our el Presidente Bush is taking notes. Expect a North American Treaty in the near future.

Bush Trashes Our Inheritance

Timothy Egan makes these sad observations..... "I drove through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on my way to climb Mount Hood, and found the place in tatters. Roads are closed, or in disrepair. Trails are washed out. The campgrounds, those that are open, are frayed and unkempt. It looks like the forestry equivalent of a neighborhood crack house." (The New York Times)

A century ago, it was the vision of president Teddy Roosevelt and his first chief of the Forest Service Gifford Pinchot, both rich men, that unlike Europe where only the lords of privilege enjoyed nature, in this country everyone could enjoy the outdoors.

Roosevelt and Pinchot stood for the every man, and against the interests of railroads, timber barons, mine owners.... and helped established our 565 million-acre birthright.

Then came The Decider.

"In the Pinchot woods, you see the George W. Bush public lands legacy. If you want to drill, or cut trees, or open a gas line - the place is yours. Most everything else has been trashed or left to bleed to death."

The national wildlife system, started by Roosevelt, has been gutted by The Decider who has systematically reduced the budget to where this year more than 200 refuges could be unstaffed.

The Bureau of Land Management was given the green light by The Decider early in his administration to allow drilling for gas and oil.... his first priority.

Forest Service policy is set by an ex-timber industry insider and the budget has been cut once again, while the Interior Department had been run by a former coal lobbyist... until he plead guilty to obstruction of justice.

For The Decider, our beautiful public lands are nothing more than assets to be exploited by his corporate buddies.... the new landlords of our government.

"Roosevelt had his place on Oyster Bay. Pinchot had a family estate in Pennsylvania. Bush has the ranch in Crawford. Only one of them has never been able to see beyond the front porch."

Classify Cheney as "Arrogant"

Make it disappear......

Is this an order from Tony Soprano to his crew? In a sense.

Same mob secrecy, same ruthless response to being crossed.... the office of Vice President Cheney "has refused to comply with an executive order governing the handling of classified information for the past four years and recently tried to abolish the office that sought to enforce those rules..." (WaPo)

In 2004, when the Archives' Information Security Oversight Office tried to conduct an on-site inspection of Cheney's office to see how sensitive material was handled, they were blocked by his crew.

This January the Archives Director, William Leonard, wrote Attorney General Gonzales asking him to render a legal ruling on whether Cheney is violating the executive order. Gonzales has not replied.

Of course not, he's too busy throwing law-enforcing border agents in prison and politicizing the Justice Department.

Under this executive order, which mandates a uniform system for safeguarding government classified information, an "entity within the executive branch that comes into possession of classified information" must report each year how much it is keeping secret.

For over six years an arrogant Cheney has kept his actions from public scrutiny.... like refusing to name the industry executives who advised his energy task force, or giving up Secret Service logs showing who visits his office or official residence.... even the costs and other details about his travel.

Snarly Cheney obviously has a lot to hide. As evidenced by the conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice by his chief lieutenant, Scooter Libby, who is probably taking the fall for Cheney's misdeeds and directions.

Maybe Cheney has forgotten that he works for us.... that he can't decide which documents to withhold from our view and knowledge.

Shine a light into Cheney's murky den.

Department of Injustice

Attorney General Gonzales's Justice Department has opted out of at least 10 whistle-blower suits against Iraq war profiteering companies. (The Boston Globe)

For example, in April, DOJ opted out of a lawsuit against heavyweight military contractor Kellogg Brown & Root and three of its subcontractors for the billing of almost 10,000 meals per day that were never served, adding up to more than $10 million in excess charges.

The whistle-blower no longer has a job.

Saint George Marches On....

Our megalomaniac president yesterday decided for us all.... Saint George vetoed legislation to expand federally funded embryonic stem cell research leading to the creation of medically useful stem cells without destroying human embryos. (WaPo)

Parading not only his monumental ignorance, but his despotic moralism, Saint George preached that Congress had sent him legislation for "the deliberate destruction of human embryos."

Wrong.

Actually, by Saint George's slaying of this legislation, he insures that the donated, frozen embryos at fertility clinics will now be destroyed.... denying the benefit of the most promising forms of stem cell research to millions who suffer each day.

The Bag Man Cometh

"Heck of a job Nussie.... "

So impressed was The Decider with the record of former Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle's chairmanship of the House Budget Committee.... where he presided over turning a projected 10 year $5.6 trillion budget surplus into a $2.6 trillion deficit.... he picked Nussle for his new Director of the White House budget office, OMB. WaPo

Nussle's stunning rise to GOP prominence was because of the bag....er, on the bag.... er, in the bag.... well, he put a paper bag over his head when he spoke on the House floor in 1991 about "perk" abuses by the lawmakers, although prior to his speech Nussle was just one of the many members taking advantage of the franking perk.

Recognizing his gravitas regarding financial matters, Nussle's appointment as chairman of the House budget committee in 2001 was a slam dunk, and set the tone for the GOP pork barrel polka fest.

When making his announcement of his choice of Nussle as his budget point man, The Decider gushed over Nussle's dedication to fiscal conservatism.

Wonder who The Decider would consider a big spender?

Giuliani, McCain Bail on Bales

Ho hum.... that may be the interest in the Ames, IA straw poll, an early test of GOP presidential campaigns.

Two major GOP candidates have opted out of the straw poll scheduled for August 11.... former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain.

Interestingly, though not a candidate, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to attend. Hmmmmm.

The bada bing of the poll may now hang by a straw.... the champion of "going to announce soon," former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. His participation would make the event a match between at least two GOP superstars.... former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Fred.

Perhaps the reason Giuliani and McCain have basically abandoned Iowa is the rush by many big states to hold their primaries right after Iowa's January 14 caucuses.... 20 plus state primaries are within 3 weeks of Iowa's caucuses.

It takes money, money, money.... and campaign organization in Iowa to successfully compete in the Ames bus-in.... I mean straw poll. In a crowded primary calendar the effort may not seem worth it.

McCain thought he didn't need Iowa in 2000, and how did that work out for him (and the nation)? We got The Decider. McCain's Straight Talk bus seems to need a map.

First impressions do count, and for many voters their first impression of a winner in the primary contests will be from Iowa's first-in-the nation results . Any GOP candidate not participating in the Iowa straw poll can expect to suffer in the caucuses.

Democrats wisely don't hold a straw beauty pageant before the caucuses, but they have to contend with a crowded primary calendar too. That is why New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is nesting in Nevada.... their caucuses on January 19 will make them the second after Iowa on the nominating calendar.

The really disappointing new Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, elbowed his home state forward, upsetting New Hampshire, the traditional second-in-the nation state. Besides the obvious higher-profile and income payoffs for Nevada and Reid... it jump-starts the Democrats chase for the Latino vote, whose population is 23 percent in Nevada.

Richardson, unlike other Democratic candidates, can easily travel from New Mexico to Nevada, and understands the Latino population. He hopes for a slam dunk there in the presidential sweepstakes.

But, even Richardson acknowledges, "South Carolina and Nevada are players.... Iowa and New Hampshire are in a class by themselves.

D.C.'s Mob Rule

This Father's Day many are still pondering the fate of David Chase's enigmatic father figure Tony Soprano.... Godfather, suburban father.... a welcomed distraction for reality-overloaded Americans.

Did Tony Soprano die in the fade-to-black last Sunday?

Who wants to know?

Well, not everyone. One not enamored with Tony and his family is a real mobster's widow, Victoria Gotti. "It's disgusting that people are still obsessed with Gotti and the mob. They should be obsessed with that mob in Washington. They have 3000 deaths on their hands."

Oh yes, the Washington mob isn't an ordinary bunch of gangsters. Even John Gotti's widow disdains the moral sewer of The Decider's administration. And, Tony and his crew seem like petty thieves by comparison.

Frank Rich of The New York Times brings this into focus in, "Scooter's Sopranos Go to the Mattresses."

"True, the Washington mob isn't as sexy as the Gotti or Soprano clans, but there is now a gripping nonfiction dramatization of its machinations available..... For this we can thank U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton" and, as Scooter Libby's presiding judge, for his "decision to make public the testimonials written to the court by members of the Washington establishment pleading that a criminal convicted on four felony counts be set free."

These Scooter excusers never acknowledge the undisputed fact that their hero leaked classified information about a covert C.I.A. officer.... whose husband was trying to shed light on Iraq's WMD Big Lie.... and, his lying repeatedly to mislead investigators.

Nor does there seem to be any shame in the hypocrisy of these same Scooter supporters who were a part of the baying pack relentlessly pursuing President Clinton and calling for his impeachment... over a farcical sexisode.

The Last Supper scenario in the final Sopranos was a masterful fictional ending.

The D.C. nightmare will yet live on as our soldiers still make the "ultimate sacrifice for this gang's hubristic folly."

Where's the National Outrage?

Thanks to elgringocolombiano for bringing "Americans Unready to Revolt, Despite Revolting Conditions" to our attention. Joel S. Hirschhorn makes a convincing, if disturbing, case for what is happening to our country. Excerpts:

"Why is there insufficient pain for revolution? This is a deadly serious issue. What is historically unique about America is that even the most oppressed and unfairly treated people are distracted by affordable materialism, entertainment, sports, gambling, and myriad other aspects of our frivolous, self-absorbed culture. Even failed school and health care systems do not drive people, paying enormous sums to fill up their SUVs, to rebellion.

"So, Americans are aware of their oppression, but the power elites have successfully drugged them with a plethora of pleasure-producing distractions sufficient to keep them under control. We are free to bitch, but too weak to revolt. The Internet has provided a release valve for some pent up anger and frustration. But it too has mostly become another source of distraction, rather than an effective tool for rebellion.....

"Even as the population has growing awareness of the dire condition of their nation, the move by the politically powerful on the right and left continues to seek a new immigration law that will solidify the selling out of America. Business interests want more of those fleeing Mexico and other nations to keep wages low.

The parallels are chilling.... we're in a Roman Empire free fall.

A Crisis of Confidence

The most powerful attorney in the nation, Attorney General Gonzales, reviewed his version of events surrounding the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys with a departing senior aide who would be testifying about these events.

When the aide spilled the beans about the meeting, Gonzales' defense..... "he never attempted to influence or shape the testimony or public statements of any witness," his comments to the aide "were intended only to comfort..."

This obvious attempt to coach a witness deserves much more than a "no confidence" slap on the wrist.

After all, Gonzales has already lied under oath about this.... he told the Senate Judiciary Committee in April that he had not talked to any potential witnesses about the firings.

A letter from DOJ investigators to the Senate Judiciary Committee confirms "that the scope of our investigation does include" the matter of the meeting with Gonzales aide.

Gonzales better find himself a good attorney.

Lambert to the Slaughter

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.... and sometimes even sweet justice.

Donald McEachin upset 30-year veteran state Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert yesterday in a Democratic primary in the Richmond, Virginia area.

Lambert, a Democrat, is the politico who not only supported GOP Senator "Macaca" Allen in his race against successful Democratic challenger Jim Webb, but Lambert rode in The Decider's limo to an appearance onstage with Bush at a rally for Allen.

The now U.S. Senator Webb actively campaigned for McEachin who enthused, "Jim Webb did everything we asked him to," .... Webb appeared in advertisements and made recorded phone messages on McEachin's behalf.

Lambert said his support of Allen probably cost him his job. "I thought the Allen folks would have helped me more, but it didn't work out that way."

He thought wrong. The "Allen folks" were being true to character... none.

Bush Flops on Hill

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) summed up the reaction of GOP Senators after a Capitol luncheon meeting with The Decider who was re-selling his immigration amnesty legislation.... "It was a good give-and-take. We didn't expect anybody to stand up and holler that they had an epiphany."

Indeed.

If the remarks by Iowa's only GOP Senator, Charles Grassley, are a sample, it was far from an epiphany. Grassley said following the meeting that he will continue to oppose any legislation that includes amnesty, and that he "didn't think the meeting changed anybody's mind."

On Tuesday, Grassley and eight other GOP senators sent a letter to The Decider telling him to enforce the border security laws already approved by Congress, as that "is the best way to restore trust with the American people and facilitate future improvements of our immigration policy."

Grassley gets it.

So why won't The Decider just enforce current laws? Why is he so insistent on a "comprehensive" bill?

Ah, the Devil is in the details.

On page 211 of the draft immigration legislation: "Sense of Congress Regarding Partnership for Prosperity - It is the sense of Congress that the United States and Mexico should accelerate the implementation of the Partnership for Prosperity....."

This partnership was embarked upon by The Decider and Mexico's former president Fox without discussion with U.S. citizens or Congress, let alone approval. But, it's a critical cornerstone of The Decider's stealth plan for a North American Union. Obviously, he's willing to tear our national house down to hammer home this policy nail.

Hopefully, our elected representatives will continue to reject The Decider's schemes, or the voters will register their grand epiphany come November 2008!

No Curtain Calls for Gonzales

"British officials said Tuesday there was 'sufficient evidence' to charge a Russian former KGB agent with murder and seek his extradition from Moscow in the sensational poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko." (WaPo)

Livinenko was an outspoken critic of Russian President Valdimir Putin, and pointed the finger of blame for his poisoning at Putin from his deathbed.

But, Moscow has already made it clear they wouldn't cooperate with any British attempt to extradite Andrei Lugovoy who met with Litvinenko for tea at a London hotel on the day he fell ill.

The timing for the British in filing these charges is curious.

Tomorrow, the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers.... from Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia and the United States.... are meeting in Munich in advance of the G8 Summit in early June.

Ironically, the ministers will be discussing among other things "international judicial cooperation, particularly in the fields of counter-terrorism."

Surely the poisoning of Litvinenko in London by a former KGB agent using a rare and deadly isotope.... 97 percent of which is manufactured in Russia.... would qualify as terrorism. This would be the perfect opportunity to exercise "international judicial cooperation."

A Litvinenko family spokesman, Alex Goldfarb, said the British investigators "have pretty strong evidence" based on the radioactive trail.... where it came from and who was handling it.

So, will these icons of world justice meeting tomorrow demand Russia's cooperation with Britain's prosecution?

Don't hold your breath.

Not when the likes of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is the person representing law and justice for the United States at the G8 meeting.... The Decider's legal strawman who has prostituted his legal moral authority.

So, the G8 justice ministers will probably ignore the hot potato of extradition in the diplomatic confrontation between London and Moscow.

But, perhaps not all justice will be denied.

Sometime in the next two weeks the Senate is planning a vote of no confidence in Gonzales. A move The Decider has called pure "political theater."

However, if Gonzales doesn't resign after a bipartisan no confidence vote, and, The Decider doesn't fire him, the "I" word is being urged on Congress as a means of ridding us of this legal pestilence.

For Gonzales, theater it is, and the curtain will be going down.

Bush, You're No Jack Kennedy

"Macaca's" Odor Lingers in Virginia

Connecticut has a "red" Democrat, Sen. Joe Lieberman.... a Bush-hugging, pro-Iraq war, fair-weather-friend to his party.

Well, Virginia also has its "red" Democrat, state Sen. Benjamin Lambert (Richmond).... a Sen. "Macaca" Allen supporter who showed up on the same stage with George Bush in 2004 supporting Republican incumbent Allen against the eventually victorious Democrat James Webb.

And, U.S. Senator Webb isn't about to forget it.

Since Lambert is black, his appearance with Allen and Bush was to show the voters how cozy Allen was with minorities.... but their eyes, and the you-are-there truth-telling of YouTube, unveiled the racist underbelly of Allen, and the straight-talking Webb won the election.

Fast forward to the upcoming elections.... Webb is now supporting Lambert's challenger in the primaries, Democrat Del. Donald McEachin (Richmond), whose decision to run for the Virginia state senate was influenced by Lambert's traitorous actions.

To his shame, Lambert didn't just show up on the stage with Bush and Allen, he rode in Bush's limousine to get there.... Lambert says it was to lobby for $500 million in federal funds for historically black colleges. Thus, showing his willingness to embrace The Deceiver and upset the chance for the Democrats to regain control of the U. S. Senate.... for a promise of pork.

The Democratic primary is June 12, and all 140 Virginia Senate and House seats are up for election this fall. A primary loss by Lambert would send the message, "No fraternizing with the enemy, one Lieberman in a party is enough".... and polish Webb's already sterling resume.

How Low Can Gonzales Go?

Eugene Robinson reviews the skulduggery of our Attorney General in "Gonzales's Signature Moment," and Gonzales' brazen efforts to confront his predecessor on his sickbed, trying to browbeat him into signing a shady legal opinion on domestic surveillance.

It will remain an indelible stain on the White House and Gonzales that he has been the willing tool for The Decider and his Dark Prince in their assault on our Constitution. There really is no sacred wall they haven't breached.... be it the one shielding the law from politics, dividing church and state, or defining the balance of power normally shared by the executive, judicial and legislative.

We also have Gonzales to thank, undoubtedly carrying out White House marching orders, for not enforcing our immigration laws, and for going after border patrol agents trying to do their job.

It's becoming chillingly clearer each day, the Bush administration has no scruples, morals or even common decency, and Attorney General Gonzales is their willing enforcer.

Bloomberg and Hagel's Kabuki

If money could talk.... well, money is talking.

"New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is prepared to spend an unprecedented $1 billion of his own $5.5 billion personal fortune for a third-party presidential campaign." (Washington Times)

Bloomberg, a Republican who fashions himself as a social liberal and fiscal conservative, has "lowered the bar" and upped the likelihood for a decision on making a run.

The last serious third-party candidate was H. Ross Perot, the Texas billionaire whose 1992 bid split the vote and helped elect Bill Clinton while tripping-up incumbent George H. W. Bush.

Bloomberg is looking closely at the strategies used by Perot, and meeting with Perot's most senior people.

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel teased on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday about a third-party ticket with Bloomberg... "It's a great country to think about a New York boy and a Nebraska boy to be teamed up leading this nation." (WaPo)

Hmmmm.

Hagel, an anti-war conservative, in an unhappy marriage with the GOP, has opined "neither party is seen as an answer."

Such a third-party entry into the fray would drastically upset the Shermanesque march of Sen. Hillary Clinton toward the White House, and peel away many of the still-looking GOP voters disappointed with the drift of their party on the watch of Commander Guy.

Hagel, a social conservative, is not only an effective communicator, but would help to counter-balance the "nanny state" label pinned on Bloomberg because of his social policies.

Bloomberg is downplaying a possible double-billing with Hagel. But, it is seeming more and more likely that the real reason for the strange news conference Hagel held two months ago to declare his presidential bid intentions... he announced that he had nothing to announce.... may have had something to do with a rethinking of his options to include the possibility of hitching his wagon to "Brinks" Bloomberg.

What the consequences might be..... well, candidate spinners could use this pithy line intoned by former Vice President Dan Quayle..... "We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."

Ten White Men in a Row

A testosterone-hyped field of 10 white men went mano a mano on the Iraq war and torture last night in their debate battle for the GOP nomination . With a couple of refreshing exceptions.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas (who, by the way, has a corn dog's chance at the Iowa State Fair of getting a bite on the nomination) stood his lonely ground by denouncing the decision to go to war in Iraq, the use of torture and even suggested that terrorists actions like 9/11 were in part in retaliation for the United States' actions in the world, saying "If we ignore that, we ignore that at our risk."

This gave the question-dodging and debate-floundering America's mayor, Rudy Giuliani, the opening he needed for chest thumping, challenging Paul's statement as an "absurd explanation for September 11." We know what Paul was trying to say, but this forum wanted napalm in the morning.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona also rejected the use of torture explaining he's been there and had that done unto him.... and, the thing that kept him and his fellow POW's going was the fact that their country wasn't like that. Of course, McCain stayed with his support of the surge in Iraq, at this point he really has no choice.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee delivered the best zinger, joking that in recent years Congress had "spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop." This campaign season the GOP will make sure that Edwards keeps paying for his $400 haircut.

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, was articulate, polished, knowledgeable and well.... perfect. I could hear the casting call. Would someone please put a big spot on his tie?

Former governor James Gilmore, as a poll bottom-feeder, tried to make points by challenging the true conservatism of McCain, Giuliani and Romney. They easily dodged his barbs and he faded once again into the Virginia countryside.

Rep.Tom Tancredo of Colorado delivered the second best zinger aimed at his GOP rivals changing positions... "I trust those conversions when they happen on the road to Damascus, not on the road to Des Moines." But strangely, he gave a shallow reply on a question about illegal immigration, his calling card. It didn't turn out to be a trump.

A glib Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas put on a good performance, but it seemed a performance.

Rep. Duncan Hunter of California was on point on defense issues and immigration. His concise responses were refreshing.

And that leaves only Elmer Fudd, the former Wisconsin gov Tommy Thompson, who seemed to be down-shifted to low gear.... upstaged perhaps by the other Thompson, Fred, the Thompson the GOP electorate is panting for although he has yet to announce, let alone debate. According to the latest polls, Fred is even eating into Giuliani's leading position.

I had predicted, and anticipated, that a debate sponsored by FOX News and hosted by Brit Hume would be one long GOP commercial, all softballs and no substance. I was wrong. It was the best debate by either party so far, although probably partly because the candidates are becoming better at it. And mixing it up a bit.

I also looked for the 10 white men to trip over each other in expressing their sympathy over the death that day of Rev. Jerry Falwell who spearheaded the Moral Majority winning GOP strategy. But wisely, Hume nipped that rush in the bud at the outset of the debate by expressing their unified regret so the candidates wouldn't need to do so individually.

The other no-show thus far in the GOP field is former House speaker Newt Gingrich who is dangling the "great possibility" of his candidacy. At least his timing may be propitious, he is slated to deliver the commencement address at Falwell's university on Saturday.... there could be no better center stage than before a grieving GOP base.

Bush's Playground

Guru took Pootie-Poot to the woodshed, and Pootie-Poot promised to stop sticking his tongue out at Dubya.

No, you haven't wandered into a Dr. Seuss children's book.

Welcome to the world of the most powerful leader in the world.... the self-proclaimed "Commander Guy," a.k.a. "The Decider," his Secretary of State, Condi "Guru" Rice., and Russia's President "Pootie-Poot" Putin.

Excuse us George if we don't laugh at your bestowing of childish nicknames in lieu of a real governance.

It was bad enough that you gurgled after your meeting with "Pootie-Poot" in 2002, "I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul."

Since then, Putin's "soul" has been hard at work suppressing the press and individual freedoms in Russia, and aligning Russia's interests with those of our enemies.

It was even discovered that Russia provided intelligence to Iraq's government on U. S. military movements in the opening days of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Naughty, naughty Pootie-Poot.

Now we've had to witness Commander Guy dispatching "Guru" Rice to Moscow to deliver her school marm scolding to Pootie-Poot. Putin is kicking sand in our face because he doesn't like the U.S. plans for a missile defense system in his backyard among other things.... and a week ago in Red Square appeared to compare Bush's United States to Hitler's Third Reich.

Now, now Pootie-Poot, it's not nice to call names.

If only we could go back to the fairy tale "Mission Accomplished" days. When Iraq was a glorious victory, and Russia loved the U.S.

In those la-la land days, "Guru" Rice .... a supposed Russian specialist....said, "To see the kind of relationship that Presidents Bush and Putin have developed and to see Russia firmly anchored in the West - that's really a dream of 300 years...."

A dream indeed.

Actually, it's a part of the nightmare scenario inflicted by an inept, unready, uncomprehending, stubborn, good-ol'-boy Commander Guy leading our great nation into the abyss.

And, our clever Bush even has a nickname for the United States of America..... the North American Union.

Will someone please wake me up!

Oxymoron: Wolfowitz Ethics

In the back and forth between sugar-daddy CEO Paul Wolfowitz and the World Bank over the obscene pay raise he engineered for his girlfriend Shaha Riza, Wolfowitz said he had to be the one to give her the raise because the Bank's ethics committee "members did not want to deal with a very angry Ms. Riza."

Ohhhhh.... she might get mad.... and the powerful ethics panel members are quaking under their mahogany executive desks.... give her whatever she wants.

Yep, that's Wolfowitz's defense.

According to Wolfowitz, the ethics committee told him after he arrived in 2005 that he couldn't directly supervise his girlfriend Riza, who also worked at the Bank, but declined to oversee her job transfer and compensation, instead ordering him to handle those tasks.

Seems reasonable, after all he is the World Bank's CEO. And, he could have delegated the task to a Bank Vice President.

So, just who is afraid of Virginia.... errr, Shaha Riza, and why.

Wolfowitz actually admitted Riza's "intractable position" in demanding a salary increase as compensation for her transfer forced him to grant one to avoid a lawsuit.

Hello? Doesn't that sound like blackmail. Could it be that Wolfowitz's pillow partner knows where the bones are buried. Like his role in the Big Lie leading to the invasion of Iraq? Like the inside scoop on The Decider's modus operandi? So, just give her a big ($50,000) raise to shut her up.

The Bush administration is going ballistic over the idea of Wolfowitz being canned by the outraged Bank board . Lead mouthpiece VP Cheney appeared on FOX news (where else) proclaiming Wolfowitz "is a very good president of the World Bank."

The White House is demanding Wolfowitz stay on the basis of executive privilege.... the self-proclaimed traditional right of the United States to name the head of this world institution, that his mistakes don't warrant his being fired. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is busy on the phone with overseas finance ministers pimping for the administration's favorite sugar daddy to keep his job.

Shortly we'll find out if the World Bank actually does have ethics (the dust-up over Riza isn't their only beef with Wolfowitz) or, if the Bush bully boys have now infected this once-respected world institution....

Then, the scary Riza gets to keep her job, her raise, her broom.... and, her secrets.

Can't Take Wolfowitz to The Bank

Some people have a moral blind spot so big you could drive a war, or the World Bank through it.

Paul Wolfowitz manipulated intelligence to support The Decider's mandate to create the rationale for the invasion of Iraq.... and when his pivotal role in the Big Lie was exposed, in 2005 Wolfowitz was quickly shuttled off to the World Bank as its CEO.

Well, you can take White House away from Wolfowitz's stink, but you can't take the stink away from Wolfowitz. He brought his foul ethics with him.

Overpaying his girlfriend at the World Bank was just the tipping point.

As Sebastian Mallaby observes, "Wolfowitz has lost the confidence of the bank's shareholders, borrowers and staff.... including the support of those who initially welcomed him despite his record on Iraq. He has brought about the collapse in the World Bank's external prestige and internal morale..."

When Wolfowitz called his staff together recently to try to make nice, they booed and called for him to resign.

Wolfowitz's brought his ethical odor with him, part of the stench emanating from the moral black hole of The Decider's administration that has soiled our external prestige, internal morale and national honor.

This Wednesday the World Bank's board will decide if Wolfowitz goes or stays.

If he goes, look for The Decider to award him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.... joining the administration's rogues' gallery of moral blindmen.

The Shallow GOP Pool

"How far would I travel, just to be where you are? How far is the journey, from here to the White House star?...... And, if I ever lost you, how much would I cry? How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky?"

This should be the official presidential candidate theme song, played whenever two or more are gathered to lay the words on us. However, the song may not quite fit the current field of GOP hopefuls because as Eugene Robinson points out, their field is ten wide, but it's not ocean deep.

In their first debate, this GOP country club lineup of well-heeled white men mostly tread around the shallow end of the Republican talking points .... Iraq war on the right track, abortion rights bad.... Bush who?.... Reagan's our president.

In fact, there doesn't seem to be any reason for Fred Thompson, Newt Gingrich or Chuck Hagel not to wade in.... "The water doesn't look very deep." It'll just be more GOP white men with a toe in the presidential puddle.

After all, shallow has worked fine for The Decider. He has been using the kiddie pool for over six years, barely getting his intellect wet.... "How deep is corruption, how high is the lie"

Boy George

A trumpet fanfare, a 21-gun salute.... Queen Elizabeth is welcomed by King George at the White House while thousands of invited guests crowded the South Lawn, eager to drink in the pomp and pageantry.

Seizing the moment, Commander Guy took center stage, remarking that the queen had dined with 10 U.S. presidents and had helped the United States "celebrate its bicentennial in 17.... err, 1976."

Then, to make sure the queen was thoroughly offended, he joked that the queen just "gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."

The queen sees George for what he is.

Where was she in 2000 when the voters needed "the look" to remind them that only grownups should be president of the most powerful nation on earth, not a reckless frat boy proud of his C- grades.

Bush is Naming Names

OK, you know that President Bush is into nicknames. For example, he calls his political guru, Karl Rove, "Turd Blossom." Now, that's a really good nickname, except for the Blossom part.

And, you know that he gave himself the crown of "The Decider." We've had to watch in horror as he has decided us into national turmoil.

Now, The Decider has anointed himself with a different nickname. While speaking to the Associated General Contractors of America recently, and opining on whether the Congress or the commanders should decide how many U.S. troops are needed in Iraq, The Decider said: "And, as you know, my position is clear - I'm the Commander Guy."

As Eugene Robinson wondered in "Lost in the Fog With Commander Guy," is he The Decider or the Commander Guy.... "Or does he spend some days deciding and other days commanding."

As our Commander Guy, here is his latest pearl of wisdom about the war in Iraq.... "Either we'll succeed or we won't succeed." Deep.

Queen For A May Day

Dick Cheney, the Prince of Darkness, welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to Jamestown, Virginia yesterday so the Queen could help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Consider this.... Gates was put in charge of quelling the insurgents. He viewed the devastation they wrought, finding safety only in their own fortification. With his forces depleted and under constant attack, Gates finally decides to abandon the place.... but reinforcements arrive and a major attack is launched against the insurgent stronghold. The insurgent leader and the leader's children are captured and executed.

No, I'm not off subject, this isn't Iraq, this is Jamestown three years after James I of England's fleet arrived in May of 1607 and built a fort at Jamestown.

Sir Thomas Gates was acting as Virginia's first governor. The insurgents of course were the native Indians who were fighting what they viewed as the invaders and occupiers of their land. The insurgent leader, perhaps ironically, was the Queen of Paspahegy Indian village who was executed along with her children, the village burned and the crops destroyed.

But I have digressed.... back to the Jamestown 400th anniversary celebration fairytale.

With a wave of her gloved hand at her might-have-been subjects, Queen Elizabeth pretends Jamestown was England's finest moment in the New World, and Prince Cheney pretends the debacle in Iraq is his and King George's greatest legacy.

GOP Hopefuls Opine

The first Republican presidential candidates "debate" last night was in many respects a yawn.... but, it did have a crazy-aunt-in-the-attic moment for the ten Bush wanna-bes.

When asked for a show of hands for those who didn't believe in evolution..... the flat-earthers responding were Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado. These three definitely go to the back of the class with the slow-learners.

I kept looking for the apple that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had on hand for MSNBC moderator Chris Matthews.... Mitt is such a perfect teacher's pet.... well prepared, face scrubbed, not a hair out of place.... just too perfect. We need a Mitt Romney doll, just wind him up and he delivers his focus-group talking-points to the background of Hail-to-the-Chief.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona was animated, although he had a momentary "deer in headlights" moment when asked directly if he believed in evolution. He did give the old straight talk answer of "yes".... before shifting into his Falwell pandering-gear by adding when he's in the Grand Canyon, he sees God's hand over the horizon.

Actually, what McCain sees over the horizon is Joe Lieberman's hand waving his Straight Talk Express into the lane for presidential race losers. When asked what Democrat he would have in his cabinet if he became president, McCain named Lieberman with the same passion usually reserved for a hot prom date.

A subdued former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani was the only one of the ten to hedge over whether the Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade.... although he made it clear that he "hates" abortion, as if rival Democrats or anyone supporting a woman's right to chose doesn't hate abortion. The other nine took the GOP safe "overturn" path, each trying to out-forceful-reply the other.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was the only one not supporting The Decider's troop buildup in Iraq, and actually mentioned GOP-abandoned items like upholding the Constitution and reducing spending. His biggest contribution, however, was that he made McCain appear young.

The former governor of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson.... not Fred who kept his standing by not being in the lineup.... had the best Ronald Reagan brown-nose line recalling Reagan's optimism and "belief that America could be stronger and better tomorrow than it is today"... which is perfectly true as soon as we can rid ourselves of the Bush mafia.

California Rep. Duncan Hunter (great name) thinks he's the reincarnation of Patton.... but he didn't move his campaign forward much with so many other stage-generals trying to show their commander-in-chief mettle.

James Gilmore, former governor of Virginia didn't move the audience recognition needle much off 0.... what is it with former governors? Being a big fish in Virginia's pond doesn't equate to making a splash in the national ocean.

And that's how I saw it, the Republican debate. McCain perhaps summed up his party's "be very afraid" mantra the best.... "We must win in Iraq.... If we withdraw, there will be chaos, there will be genocide and they will follow us home."

No. A Democrat must win the election.... or, there will be chaos, there will be more war and corruption, and the GOP will follow us into our homes.

The Second Roundup

The showdown at DC corral didn't amount to much. The Democratically-led Congress huffed and puffed and then The Decider blew down their Iraq-funding-bill-with-a-timeline house.

Now, they're all at the White House bar for a second try, shooting high fives as the Democrats offer to withdraw the timeline demand.... while our troops continue to die in Iraq's unwinnable war.... and, our hand-picked president of Afghanistan declares his government can "no longer accept" civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led operations.

This motley bunch of executive and legislative cowboys all wear black hats. Bush is getting what he wants, a blank check for continuing his war, while the Democrats have shown they are really hollow vessels.... without the courage or the will to accomplish what the nation demanded in the last election.

The time has never been riper for a U.S.-first third party.... with a sheriff who will bring law and order back to our leadership-forsaken country.

Tenet Finally Shows Some Intelligence

Is former CIA director George Tenet finally trying to earn his furtively-awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom?

In his explosive new book, Tenet is exposing the underbelly of the decision to invade Iraq. "White House and Pentagon officials, and particularly Vice President Cheney, were determined to attack Iraq from the first days of the Bush administration, long before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and repeatedly stretched available intelligence to build support for the war." (WaPo)

Yesterday, the White House tried to throw sand on Tenet's hairballs through counselor Dan Bartlett who asserted that "the president did wrestle with those very serious questions."

Oh, that's reassuring. The wrestling probably took the form of...."Saddam tried to kill my Daddy. Iraq has oil, we want oil. Invade. Time for a bike ride."

As with many things The Decider has touched, he has besmirched the honor associated with the Medal of Freedom by awarding it as a form of hush money to some in the administration's Iraq war cabal.

Besides Tenet, The Decider has awarded the Medal to.... Gen. Tommy "Don't Bother Me About Post-War Iraq" Franks.... Paul "Disband the Iraqi Military, I'm In Charge" Bremer.... and Donald "We Can Do More With Less" Rumsfeld.

Perhaps it never occurred to the jaded Bush and Cheney that some, like Tenet, might have a conscience that the Medal couldn't assuage. Tenet recalls in his book, "At the Center of the Storm," one of the "lowest moments of my seven-year tenure" was when a congressman told me in a public hearing in the spring of 2004 that "we depended on you, and you let us down."

Winning back his reputation won't be a "slam dunk" for Tenet, but this book is a big first step toward correcting the record and fulfilling his obligation as director of the CIA.... to protect our country.

Sadly, Tenet's revelations reinforce the growing awareness of the enemy within.... that those who swore to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" never intended to keep that oath.

And They're Off.....

"I see a bunch of winners," was Delaware's Sen. Joe Biden's description of his fellow Democratic presidential candidates at the end of their ninety-minute appearance on MSNBC.

But, the format.... it was disappointing. Every candidate was not asked the same question, thus taking it out of the realm of "debate" and into the realm of "show and tell." Moderator Brian Williams was so determined to get through his laundry list of queries that he even resorted to a non-informative show of hands at times.

The evening's winner in my opinion was Biden. He also gets the evening's gold star for having and intelligently articulating the most detailed strategy for Iraq. He also receives the Ipana Smile Award.... you almost expect that little ping of light when he flashes his big grin. I was impressed with his presentation and am definitely going to give him a fresh look... "Yes."

The loser in my opinion was Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico. He was missing the "fire in the belly" and didn't live up to his advance billing as a likable communicator. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I thought he left his personality at home.

And, in his rambling and panderingly-incoherent answer regarding the poor job performance of Attorney General Gonzales, he admitted he tried to cut Gonzales slack because he was a friend and Hispanic. We don't need another "friends of George" president. Richardson seemed out of shape, mentally and physically.

The award for best trophy wife definitely goes to anti-war Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. That tall red-headed beauty on the stage after the debate is his Mrs. However, he lost his verbal bomb-throwing standing to former senator Mike Gravel of Alaska.

The bomb Gravel was throwing last night was atomic, asking a too-scripted Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.... "Tell me, Barack, who do you want to nuke?" Gravel's bull-in-the-china-shop antics, while at times comic, detracted from the already squeezed time frame allotted for discussion.

Hillary wasn't Shrillary Clinton. New York's senator delivered a solid performance, showing to best effect her wonky tendencies. She remains a formidable candidate.

Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut isn't the president, but he could play one on TV. He speaks well, but on the issues he is Biden light. In the contest for the same voters, Biden wins.

That leaves just former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, the husband of the widely admired Elizabeth. He was strangely subdued. Perhaps trying to damp down his lawyer-like delivery. He didn't lose, and he didn't win. He showed up.

And there you have it, my take on last night's proceedings.

Next week we'll see ten Republicans in the same format. A "stubborn" Bush was the focus of a united front of opposition from the Democrats to his Iraq misadventure. Will the GOP rush to The Decider's defense? Or, will it be "George who?" Stay tuned....

The Shield of Injustice

It was impossible to watch without wincing.

Attorney Gonzales' tortuous testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee last week was compared to watching the clubbing of a baby seal. Except, Gonzales isn't a baby seal, he's a very useful White House front man, a pretend Attorney General shielding a pretend President and his political thugs.

During his testimony, Gonzales fell on his sword, taking full responsibility for the firing of eight U.S. attorneys while at the same time professing complete ignorance of the reasons for their dismissal.

This flimflamming so impressed "Heck of a job Brownie" Bush that he rushed to declare that Gonzales' performance had "increased my confidence in his ability to do the job."

With each layer of corruption uncovered by the now Democratically-controlled Congressional oversight committees, we find that the national interest, and the law, take a back seat to the White House agenda.... all politics, all of the time.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has turned over the White House rock of the private briefings on Republican candidates during the last midterm election.

Senior officials in at least 15 government agencies were subjected to White House presentations on how they could affect election outcomes.... a violation of the Hatch Act forbidding political pressures meant to influence the outcome of elections.

In the briefing to the General Services Administration.... "conducted like all others by a deputy to chief White House political adviser Karl Rove.... two slides were presented showing 20 House Democrats targeted for defeat and several dozen vulnerable Republicans."

This prompted the GSA administrator to ask how GSA projects could be used to help "our candidates," according to half a dozen witnesses.

The abuse-of-power odor emanating from the White House flows over our nation like a backed up sewer. Even a sacrificing Gonzales can't mask the stench forever.